A growing number of students today are bringing to school a home language other than English. School leaders need to be prepared with essential knowledge to ensure that all students are able to be successful in an English-speaking environment.
Dr. Lori Helman's October webinar discussed her book Learning in a New Language: A Schoolwide Approach to Support K–8 Emergent Bilinguals. HELP summer book clubs across the state examined this timely topic earlier this year.
Helman, Professor Emerita, University of Minnesota, directed the Minnesota Center for Reading Research, where her team developed PRESS—Path to Reading Excellence in School Sites. She has authored, co-authored, or edited more than 20 books, including the acclaimed Words Their Way series.
In this webinar, Dr. Helman addressed the role of language in academic learning and what makes learning in a new language unique. She provided practical tips founded on evidence-based strategies for literacy and content-area classrooms, and she stressed the importance of engaging families and communities in their children’s success.
On May 17, three literacy partners—Bethany Lutheran College, Bethel University, and HELP—sponsored a private, online viewing of Kareem Weaver's highly acclaimed documentary The Right to Read, followed by a 50-minute panel discussion with MN literacy leaders. Weaver, an Oakland, CA, NAACP activist, calls reading “the greatest civil rights issue of our time.”
Panelists included moderator Dr. Abbey Payeur, Bethel University associate professor of teacher education; Dr. Lisa Silmser, adjunct professor at Bethel and Literacy Specialist, Monroe Elementary School (Anoka-Hennepin ISD #11); Dr. Carrie Pfeiffer, director of the Bethany Lutheran College Literacy Clinic; Amy Oliver, principal at Monroe Elementary School; Sidney McClain, second-grade teacher at Monroe Elementary and a fellow with Black Men Teach; Angela Mansfield, Assistant Commissioner for Educational Opportunity; and Rachel Moeller, K-12 Literacy Coordinator/Talent Coordinator at Mankato Public Schools.
Hear what these literacy leaders in MN had to say about the film and the issues in our state.
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